Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
David King said that one way for the local governments to be informed is like Wake <br /> County, where he and the Manager go to every municipality and speak on this topic. He said <br /> that he would be glad to do that here. <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed that it is critical to include the other partners such as <br /> UNC and Hillsborough. She said that most of the key issues are stated, but the one key issue <br /> she did not see is the mode — light rail transit or express rail/commuter rail. The timing and <br /> financial implications differ for each. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Wake County route was definitely going to go <br /> through Durham and David King said that this has to be tested through the alternatives <br /> analysis process. Light rail has the reputation of serving dense and developing areas. <br /> Commuter rail is faster and cheaper. He said that from Alston Avenue to Cary, there is no <br /> density. This needs to be discussed more. <br /> At this time, there was a short break. <br /> 3. Oranqe County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) Update <br /> Transportation Planner Karen Lincoln made a PowerPoint presentation. She said that <br /> the Board requested additional information at the February 2, 2010 BOCC meeting regarding <br /> development of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The Board is being asked to <br /> explicitly endorse a course for proceeding with the Plan. <br /> The Orange Unified Transportation (OUT) Board, at its meeting on April 21, received <br /> notification from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Planning Division <br /> 7 that it was unwilling to support the County's proposal for a phased construction plan for <br /> "unscheduled" improvements to NC 86. <br /> In response to NCDOT's unwillingness to support the County's proposal, the OUT <br /> Board unanimously recommends the Board of Commissioners explicitly: <br /> - Endorse the principle of strategic highway corridors <br /> - Proceed with development of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan to include NC 86 <br /> as a strategic highway corridor; and <br /> - Make a statement to the North Carolina Department of Transportation stressing the <br /> Board is 1) troubled by the Department's use/requirement of a particular design for all <br /> highways designated a strategic highway corridor, as every area is different and a <br /> "cookie cutter" design may not be the best way in every instance to achieve mobility to <br /> meet traffic needs; and 2) concerned also that the Department dictates a design for the <br /> corridor without local input and prior to any contextual planning studies for the corridor <br /> improvements. <br /> ADVANTAGES <br /> NC 86 adopted as Future Expressway <br /> - Orange County moves forward with establishing a framework for planning multi-modal <br /> transportation improvements <br /> - TIP projects can be programmed from the CTP (NCDOT may require in the future) <br /> - The CTP is not a static document and is to be reviewed and amended periodically <br /> - The ultimate design for expressway will not be considered until traffic conditions <br /> warrant it because of scarce transportation dollars and more urgent projects <br /> - Changes in NCDOT organization <br /> - Traffic is increasing on NC 86 and is not going to use another route, it is better to plan <br /> for the future now <br />